Distinct and accurate symbol displays on photo products



Jan. 7, 1964 L. s. TRIMBLE 3,116,675

DISTINCT AND ACCURATE SYMBOL DISPLAYS 0N PHOTO PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 8, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l E] A w 5. Tie M545 N INVENTOR.

BY W

L. S. TRlMBLE Jan. 7, 1964 DISTINCT AND ACCURATE SYMBOL DISPLAYS 0N PHOTO PRODUCTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1959 INVENTOR.

Ly/vzs 5. TR/MBLA Jan. 7, 1964 L. s. TRIMBLE 3,116,675

DISTINCT AND ACCURATE SYMBOL DISPLAYS ON PHOTO PRODUCTS Filed Jan. 8, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. BY W a A TTO/QNE Y 0 Z MUNZJO PImZJ n 40.0 4m

w w 3F ZONEU mi M uwh N United States Patent 0 3,116,675 DISTINCT AND ACCURATE SYMBQL DISPLAYS 0N PHOTQ PRQDUCTS Lyne S. Trimble, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor t0 Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.,

a corporation of Ohio Filed lune 8, 1959, Ser. No. 818,821 8 Claims. (Cl. 95--74) This invention relates to distinct and accurate symbol displays on photo products and more particularly to accurate positioning of symbols on a photo product without having the symbols appear Washed out, weak or displaced.

Symbol displaying transparencies or positive prints have been produced by positioning the symbols on a photosensitive mask, developing the mask and then accurately positioning the mask in physical relation with respect to the indicia on a prior developed negative film to expose a positive or transparency therethrough. In view of the fact that the symbols must be very accurately placed, with respect to the negative, a long and tedious photographic process results. In some photographic processes accuracy for photographic symbol positioning is on the order of 0.0003 'of an inch. It can be seen, therefore, that this type of accuracy is difiicult to achieve when the mask or film is placed in position, exposed and removed for processing, and then returnd to the original position for subsequent photography.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a system of producing photoprints having accurately placed undiluted symbols.

it is another object of this invention to provide a sys tem of exposing a final product to a general composite indicia without exposing the symbol area on the final product.

It is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of sequential or simultaneous exposures on one final product without diluting the subsequently exposed areas by the first exposures.

it is another object of this invention to provide a method of producing final photo products having strong accurately placed symbols in a general overall picture area.

it is another object of this invention to provide a system of accurately placing symbols on a previously exposed product without having the symbols misaligned.

it is another object of this invention to provide a symbol mask that is exposed and developed while in firm position utilized for final exposure of the final photo product.

It is another object of this invention to provide a system of producing accurate outstanding photo products in a relatively short period of time.

it is another object of this invention toprovide a system for producing photo products that are capable of mechanization without human intervention.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features will be obvious as the description of the invention progresses.

As used herein, the term tripack refers to an assembly of three sheets of material disposed and maintained in intimate surface contacting relationship to form a discrete pack of such material. Specifically, in a preferred form of the invention, the tripack comprises a first outer sheet of film material having an intially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive emulsion, this sheet of material also being described as a composite indicia film; an intermediate sheet of material having preferably a negative image thereon depicting selected background information; and a second outer sheet of material, or mask sheet, having an initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive emulsion. The emulsions of the first and second outer sheets of material are photosenstive to different frequencies of exposure energy and are adapted for individual exposure, a first exposure being made to the second outer sheet in a manner described in detail hereinafter. The term dual-pack, as used herein, refers to an assembly of two sheets of material disposed and maintained in intimate surface contacting relationship and, in one form of the invention, comprises the intermediate (background negative) and second outer (mask) sheet of material described in connection with the tripack.

In practicing this invention, there is provided a first frequency sensitive film, herein, after referred to as a mask, that is subjected to a monobath solution of developer and fixer and subsequently placed in fixed relation with a second prior exposed and developed film and the final product. After being placed in fixed relation with the second filmand final product, only the mask is exposed to selected symbols by energy of a selected frequency. Subsequently, the final product is exposed through the now developed mask and the previously developed second film to provide a composite indicia picture area having symbol areas which are unexposed. At this time, the mask and second film are removed and the symbol areas are exposed to frequencies providing contrasting symbol areas appearing as outstanding symbols on the composite picture.

FEGURE 1 is a detailed perspective view of the system showing one form of final product production device.

FTGURE 2 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 1 showing the mask, film and positive product in assembled relationship.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention utilizing a dual-pack of an exposed film and a mask.

FEGURES 4, 5, and 6 diagrammatically show the three major steps necessary for producing the combination of negative films and final product hereinafter r ferred to as a tripack.

FTGURES 7, 8 and 9 diagrammatically represent the steps of exposure necessary for producing the final product from a tripack.

In each of the several views, similar parts bear like reference characters.

The structure of this device will be described in its sequence steps with a brief description of operation being set forth thereafter. If we look at the structure of FIG- URE 1, it can be seen that a support bed 1 is provided having secured to one end thereof a vertical support 2. The support 2 is provided with a frame 3 having open ings 4 therein passing through the frame to the front face 5 which is positioned perpendicular to the bed l. The front face 5 is provided for the purpose of supporting an unexposed product or transparency film hereinafter referred to as the final product in proper position to be exposed by a suitably shaped beam electron tube 6 and its selector control 6a (shown in FIGURE 7). The tube 6 is adjustably secured (not shown) to the opposite end of the bed 1 for proper focus positioning. The tube 6 is not shown in detail since the device is commercially available and, therefore, well known. It is believed sufiicient at this time to state that the tube 6 is capable of producing symbols or characters at any position along a desired area such as the area of the final product.

The support plate 3, has its openings 4 connected to a suitable vacuum line 7 (FIGURE 4) for providing suction along the the face 5 for supporting the final photo product in firm position during exposure. The final product is delivered to the face 5 from the loading magazine 5a along standard camera type loading tracks 5b by any suitable mechanism (not shown).

Pivotally secured to the vertical frame 2 by a suitable pivot 8 is a film holder and positioner or rack 9 capable of cooperating with a selector magazine feed it) of any suitable type capable of selecting prior exposed and del3 veloped or desensitized films or transparencies 11 from a film magazine 12 (FIGURE 4).

The selector feed mechanism selects the proper prior exposed and developed film 11 from the magazine 12 and positions the exposed film in the holder and positioner or support rack 9 for subsequent movement into place adjacent to the final product.

If we now assume that the final product (photographic material) 16 is positioned on the face 5 and the developed film llll is delivered from the magazine 12 by the feed mechanism It) to its support rack 9, the next step is taken which is placing the developed film llll in position over the final product 16 by rotation of the rack 9 about the pivot 8.

It is pointed out that the rack 9 is provided with a securing arm 17 having a suitable groove 18 capable of holding one edge or the prior exposed and developed film 11. When the developed film 11 is placed in the groove 18 its position is accurately determined with respect to X and Y coordinates. A remaining arm 19 of the rack 9 is provided with suitable openings 20 connected to vacuum lines 21 for causing a securing suction along the surface adjacent to film H. The arms 17 and 19 are provided with weights 17a for holding the rack 9 in firm operating position. In this manner the film 11 is firmly secured and accurately positioned with respect to the shaped beam electron tube 6 secured to the bed 1. With the film 11 now placed in position over the positive final product 16 it is next necessary to provide a second frequency sensitive film (or mask) 22 capable of being exposed to the desired symbols by the tube 6 as will be explained hereinafter. It should be pointed out at this time that the prior known systems of exposing a mask and removing the mask to be developed and repositioned in front of the film, falls short of the accurate positioning necessary to reposition the mask for locating the symbols properly on the final product. For this reason, this invention sets forth the principle of subjecting the mask to developer and fixer in a monobath solution, then positioning the mask firmly against the developed film and then exposing the mask only to the symbols. In this way the mask is not removed from position until the masked areas have been established on the final product.

Since it is necessary to provide the mask 22 with developer and fixer just prior to exposure in order that the symbol positions on the mask will be accurately provided and not removed during subsequent positive exposures a non-refractory transparent plate 23 is provided. The transparent plate 23 is secured by suitable arms 24 to a pivot 25 which is rotatably supported on the bed l. The arms 24 are extended beyond the pivot 25 and provided with suitable weights 26 capable of providing a firm force for the plate 23 when the plate is moved into position with the mask secured thereto. The pivot 25 is driven by a suitable motor, not shown, for possible automatic control.

Secured to the bed 1 and positioned transverse thereto are a pair of rails or tracks 27 straddling the transparent plate 23 and extending outwardly beyond the bed 1. The tracks 27 have positioned adjacent one end thereof a monobath solution reservoir 28 containing a suitable monobath solution. One satisfactory solution that may be used comprises the following elements.

Water cc 750 Sodium sulfite (anhydrous) "grams" 6O Hydroquinone do Sodium hydroxide do 25 Phenidone do 0.8 to 5.0 Sodium thiosulfite (crystal) do 75250 Ice water to make cc 1000 Formaldehyde (38%) cc 10 The monobath reservoir 23 is provided with an opening area 29 capable of receiving a pair of solution distributing rollers 3% which are movably carried by the tracks 27 and driven by a suitable roller mechanism 31. The rollers 30 are moved into the reservoir 28 to collect the monobath solution and then moved outwardly along the tracks 27 to provide an even coat of solution along the upper surface of the transparent plate 23. Following placement of the solution on the plate 23 the mask 22 is rolled out of the mask magazine 32 and guided by suitable guides 33 into position over the transparent plate 23. When the transparent plate 23 has been covered, a drive (not shown), for the magazine 22 is deenergized and a cutter mechanism 34 is programmed into action to pass a knife blade along the mask material between the mask 22 and the magazine 32.

When the mask 22 is severed from the magazine 32 a pressure roller 35 also maintained on the track 27 is driven by a suitable drive mechanism 36 over the mask 22 and transparent plate 23 to firmly press the mask down against the transparent plate 23 and into the monobath solution thereon. The pressure roller 35 is then returned and the transparent plate 23 is carried by its arm 24 and arcuately moved about the pivot point 25 to lift the mask 22 into position against the developed film ill held by the frame 9.

It is pointed out at this time that the monobath solution on the transparent plate 23 is all that is necessary to maintain the mask 22 in position on the transparent plate 23 during its movement. With the tripack now complete, that is, the positive product, the prior exposed film and the mask all securely assembled and in position, a suitable focusing lens 4t) and ultraviolet filter 41 (FIGURE 7) are moved into position by suitable mechanisms 42 and 4?, respectively, and the tube 6 is energized to provide suitable exposing frequencies for exposing the mask only in the desired symbol areas. The frequency of the energy supplied by the tube 6, after the energy is passed through the ultarviolet filter 41, is of a band width capable of being completely absorbed by the emulsion on the mask.

After suitable exposure, a time period is provided for the monobath solution to complete its developing and fixing process, this time period being on the order of a few seconds or sometimes longer, such as a minute. At this time, a suitable energy frequency source such as a source 44- (FIGURE 8) is placed in position and the ultraviolet filter 41 is removed. If it is desired to provide color exposure of the final product a suitable color or frequency band pass filter 45 is positioned between the light source 44- and the tripack so that the source frequencies are passed through the color filter 45, the mask 22, the developed film ill, to provide exposure of the positive product resulting in the imprint of the composite indicia shown on the developed film H. The exposure could be made from a source and filter that is movable into position between the tube 6 and tripack. This results in a complete exposure of the positive product to the source 44 frequencies except for the masked-off symbol areas. At this time the mask 22 secured to the transparent plate 23 is pivotally moved out of position, the developed film 11 in the frame 9 is also pivotally moved out of position and the color filter 45 is suitably moved out of position. The tube 6 is then energized at the proper frequecny band to provide exposure of the previously masked-off symbol areas on the positive product. The exposure of the masked-off areas is provided in sequence or simultaneously and in order to provide distinguishing characteristics, a color filter may be provided, such as the color filter 43 (FIGURE 9), which also may take the form of a color wheel having a variety of color filters for contrasting symbol colors. With the wheel rotated about its pivot point 49, by any suitable mechanism (not shown) to a position of the selected color for the selected symbol, the tube 6 is energized or pulsed for that symbol only causing that unexposed symbol area only to be desensitized or exposed through the desired color filter. This action is repeated for each of the symbols found on the final product until all symbols are complete. If desired all symbol areas can be simultaneously exposed rather than sequentially as hereinbefore set forth. The positive product is then moved from its exposing position into a storage and finishing chamber 50 (FIGURE 1) to be processed for desired use.

If the mask 22 material is sufliciently thin to be translucent a satisfactory but somewhat diluted symbol may be reproduced on the positive product without the necessity of providing time period for monobath solution clearing. With this type of operation it would only be necessary to position the mask against the prior exposed film, after monobath application, expose it to the symbols through the ultraviolet filter and immediately thereafter (when the symbols appear) expose the positive through the mask and developed film without waiting for mask clearing. Since the mask 22 is thin enough in the first place to be translucent the emulsion on the thin mask would become more translucent in the unexposed areas sulficiently fast to allow almost immediate subsequent steps to be undertaken.

The view of FIGURE 2 shows a diagrammatic crosssection (slightly expanded for clarity) of a portion of FIG- URE 1 with the tripack completely assembled. This view shows how the final product 16, plate 3, film 11, rack arms 17 and 19, mask 22 and mask plate 23 cooperate to allow the final product 16, film 11 and mask 22 to fit smoothly together in adjacent, surface engaging relationship. 4

FIGURE 3 shows the system utilizing a dual-pack of a prior developed composite indicia film 11 and a mask 22 securely held in close firm position with the positive product displaced therefrom and brought into focus by a suitable lens fill.

A brief rsum of the step by step operation will now be given with reference to FIGURES l, 2 and 4 through 9. The operation for the dual-pack of FIGURE 3 is similar and thus will not be repeated.

In the first operation the final product material or positive film is moved from the magazine into position along the face 5 and held in position by vacuum through the openings 4. While this is taking place the selector feed It is selecting the proper film 11 from the magazine 12 and positioning it in the rack 9. While the two previous operations are taking place the rollers are applying monobath solution to the transparent plate 23, the magazine 32 is rolling out mask transparent material into the position over the plate 23, the cutter mechanism 34 is severing the material from the magazine 32 and the roller 35 is firmly pressing the masked material 22 into a mono bath solution along the plate 23. This is represented in the showing of FIGURE 4. The showing of FIGURE 5 represents the next step of positioning the developed film Ill properly over final product material now held in position on the face 5. The next step, shown in FIGURE 6, represents the movement of the plate 23 and the mask 22 into position on the film 11. The next step is represented in FIGURE 7 in which the symbols are exposed onto the mask 22 through a suitable filter 41 and focusing lens 40. The next step is represented by FIGURE 8, in which a light source 44 of a different frequency band is used to expose the positive product through the mask 22 and developed film I1 and a suitable color filter 45 if desired. The final step is represented in FIGURE 9 where the single color filter 45 is removed and the individual symbols are exposedthrough selected color filters provided by the color wheel 48 resulting in the final product being completely exposed, including the strong contrasting and accurately placed symbols.

While it has not been specifically shown, it should be clear that a program computer using tape punched card or pulse input could be used to completely and automatically control the process.

While there has been described what is at present considered a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In an apparatus useful for producing a final composite image bearing photo product, the combination of:

a support; means for positioning and maintaining three sheets of film material in an assembly on said support and in intimate surface contacting relationship with said support and with each other, said sheets of film material including a first initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive sheet positioned in contact with said support, an information bearing transparency and a second initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive sheet, said first and second sheets being photosensitive to and at least said second sheet being substantially completely absorptive of different frequencies of exposure energy; means for applying a monobath processing liquid to said second sheet prior to positioning of said second sheet in said assembly; first exposure means for exposing selected areas of said assembly to exposure energy at a frequency to which said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having a substantially opaque image carried thereby; second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure energy having a frequency to which said first sheet is photosensitive, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet; and means for thereafter processing said first sheet to produce said final composite photo product. 2. In an apparatus useful for producing a final composite image bearing photo product, the combination of:

a support; means for positioning and maintaining three sheets of film material in an assembly on said support and in intimate surface contacting relationship with said support and with each other, said sheets of film material including a first initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive sheet positioned in contact with said support, an information bearing transparency and a second initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive sheet, said first and second sheets being photosensitive to and at least said second sheet being substantially completely absorptive of different frequencies of exposure energy; means for applying a monobath processing liquid to said second sheet prior to positioning of said second sheet in said assembly; first exposure means for exposing selected areas of said assembly to exposure energy at a frequency to which said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having a substantially opaque image carried thereby; second exposure means for exposing said assembly'to exposure energy having a frequency to which said first sheet is photosensitive, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet; means for retaining only said first sheet on said support; third exposure means for exposing only areas of said first sheet previously covered by said opaque image on said mask to exposure energy having a frequency different from the frequency of said exposure energy of said second exposure means; and means for thereafter processing said first sheet to produce said final composite photo product.

3. In an apparatus useful for producing a final com posite background image and symbol bearing photo product, the combination of:

a planar support;

means for positioning and maintaining three sheets of film material in an assembly on said support and in intimate surface contacting relationship with said support and with each other, said sheets of film material including a first initially unexposed and undeveloped photosensitive sheet positioned in contact with said support, a background information bearing transparency and a second initially unexposed and undeveloped ultraviolet radiation photosensitive sheet, said first and second sheets being photosensitive to and at least said second sheet being substantially completely absorptive of different frequencies of exposure energy;

mens for applying a monobath processing liquid to said second sheet prior to positioning of said second sheet in said assembly;

first exposure means for exposing said assembly to selected symbols at an exposure energy frequency in an ultraviolet range and to which said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having substantially opaque representations of said symbols carried thereby;

second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure energy having a frequency to which said first sheet is photosensitive, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet;

means for retaining only said first sheet on said support;

third exposure means for exposing only areas of said first sheet previously covered by said opaque representations of said symbols on said mass to exposure energy having a frequency different from the frequency of said exposure energy of said second exposure means;

and means for thereafter processing said first sheet to produce said final composite photo product.

4. In an apparatus for producing a final composite image bearing photo product, the combination of:

a support;

means for positioning and maintaining three sheets of film material in an assembly on said support and in intimate surface contacting relationship with said support and With each other, said sheets of film material including a first initially unexposed and undeveloped multiple color photosensitive sheet positioned in contact with said support, an information bearing color transparency and a second initially unexposed and undeveloped ultraviolet radiation photosensitive sheet, said first and second sheets being photosensitive to and at least said second sheet being substantially completely absorptive of different frequencies of exposure energy;

means for applying a monobath processing liquid to said second sheet prior to positioning of said second sheet in said assembly;

first exposure means for exposing selected areas of said assembly to exposure energy at a frequency in an ultraviolet range and to which said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having a substantially opaque image carried thereby;

second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure ener y having a frequency covering substantially a visible spectrum, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet;

and means for thereafter processing said first sheet to produce said final composite photo product.

5. An apparatus for producing a final composite background image and symbol bearing photo product, said apparatus comprising:

a planar support;

means for positioning and maintaining three sheets of film material in an assembly on said support and in intimate surface contacting relationship with said support and with each other, said sheets of film material including a first initially unexposed and undeveloped multiple color photosensitive sheet positioned in contact with said support, an information bearing color negative transparency and a second initially unexposed and undeveloped ultraviolet radiation photosensitive sheet, said first and second sheets being photosensitive to and at least said second sheet being substantially completely absorptive of different frequencies of exposure energy;

means for applying a monobath processing liquid to said second sheet prior to positioning of said second sheet in said assembly;

first exposure means for exposing said assembly to selected symbols at an exposure energy frequency in an ultraviolet range and to Which said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having substantially opaque representations of said symbols carried thereby;

second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure energy having a frequency covering substantially a visible spectrum, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet;

means for retaining only said first sheet on said support;

third exposure means for exposing only areas of said first sheet previously covered by said opaque repre sentations of said symbols on said mask to exposure energy having a frequency corresponding to less than said visible spectrum frequency of said second exposure means;

and means for thereafter processing said first sheet to produce said final composite photo product having a full color background image and contrasting symbol representations therein.

6. An apparatus for producing a final composite image bearing photo product, said apparatus comprising:

a support for receiving a first sheet of film material having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to a selected frequency of exposure energy;

means for delivering said first sheet to said support;

means for retaining said first sheet in position on said support;

means for holding an information bearing transparency, said holding means being positioned adjacent said support and movable to dispose said transparency in surface contact with said first sheet;

a plate, said plate being of a material capable of transmitting said exposure energy and positioned adjacent said support and movable into contact with said transparency;

means associated with said plate for coating said plate With a monobath processing solution;

means operable to dispose a second sheet of film material on said solution coated plate, said second sheet having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to and substantially completely absorptive of a selective frequency of exposure energy, said plate and said second sheet being thereafter moved for disposition of said second sheet in contact with said transparency on said support, thus to form a tripack assembly on said support consisting of said first sheet in contact with said support, said transparency and said second sheet, said plate serving to maintain said assembly in a fixed position;

first exposure means for exposing selected areas of said assembly to exposure energy at a frequency to which said emulsion of said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said emulsion on said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having a substantially opaque image carried thereby;

second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure energy having a frequency to which said emulsion of said first sheet is photosensitive, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said plate, said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet, said holding means and said plate being thereafter moved leaving said first sheet secured to said support;

and means for thereafter receiving said first sheet for processing to produce said final composite photo product.

7. An apparatus for producing a final composite background image and symbol bearing photo product, said apparatus comprising:

a planar support for receiving a first sheet of film material having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to a selected frequency of exposure energy;

means for delivering said first sheet to said support;

means for retaining said first sheet in position on said suppont;

a rack for holding an information bearing transparency, said rack being positioned adjacent said support and movable to dispose said transparency in surface contact with said first sheet;

a transparent plate, said plate being positioned adjacent said support and movable into contact with said transparency;

means associated with said plate for coating said plate with a monobath processing solution;

means operable to dispose a second sheet of film material on said solution coated plate, said second sheet having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to and substantially completely absorptive of a selected frequency of exposure energy;

means associated with said plate for urging said second sheet into tight contact with said plate to transfer said solution carried by said plate to said emulsion of said second sheet, said plate and said second sheet being thereafter moved for disposition of said second sheet in contact with said transparency on said support, thus to form a tripack assembly on said support consisting of said first sheet in contact with said support, said transparency and said second sheet, said plate serving to maintain said assembly in a fixed position;

first exposure means for exposing said assembly to selected symbols at an exposure energy frequency to which said emulsion of said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said emulsion of said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having ground image and symbol bearing photo product, said apparatus comprising:

a planar support for receiving a first sheet of film material having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to a selected frequency of exposure energy;

means for delivering said first sheet to said support;

means for retaining said first sheet in position on said support;

a rack for holding an information bearing transparency, said rack being positioned adjacent said support and movable to dispose said transparency in surface contact with said first sheet;

a transparent plate, said plate being positioned adjacent said support and movable into contact with said transparency;

a monobath processing solution tank;

roller means associated with said plate for receiving said solution from said tank and coating said plate with said solution;

means including a roll film magazine and transverse cutter and operable to dispose a second sheet of film material on said solution coated plate, said second sheet having an initially unexposed and undeveloped emulsion photosensitive to and substantially completely absorbtive of a selected frequency of exposure energy;

roller means associated with said plate for urging said second sheet into tight contact with said plate to transfer said solution carried by said plate to said emulsion of said second sheet, said plate and said second sheet being thereafter moved for disposition of said second sheet in contact with said transparency on said support, thus to form a tripack assembly on said support consisting of said first sheet in contact with said support, said transparency and said second sheet, said plate serving to maintain said assembly in a fixed position;

first exposure means for exposing said assembly to selected symbols at an exposure energy frequency to which said emulsion of said second sheet is photosensitive, said exposure energy being substantially completely absorbed by said emulsion of said second sheet and, upon action of said processing liquid, to produce a substantially transparent mask having substantially opaque representations of said symbols carried thereby;

second exposure means for exposing said assembly to exposure energy having a frequency to which said first emulsion of said first sheet is. photosensitive, energy from said second exposure means being directed through said plate, said mask and said information bearing transparency and upon said first sheet, said rack and said plate being thereafter moved leaving said first sheet secured to said support;

and means for thereafter receiving said first sheet for processing to produce said final composite photo product.

(References on following page) References tilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilkinson Aug. 29, 1939 Wilkinson Oct. 3, 1939 Marx Feb. 27, 1940 Yule Aug. 14, 1945 Kendall Nov. 29, 1955 Land Jan. 14, 1958 Chalkley July 22, 1958 12 Gillette Dec. 30, 1958 Minsk Feb. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Nov. 25, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography, Focal 

1. IN AN APPARATUS USEFUL FOR PRODUCING A FINAL COMPOSITE IMAGE BEARING PHOTO PRODUCT, THE COMBINATION OF: A SUPPORT; MEANS FOR POSITIONING AND MAINTAINING THREE SHEETS OF FILM MATERIAL IN AN ASSEMBLY ON SAID SUPPORT AND IN INTIMATE SURFACE CONTACTING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID SUPPORT AND WITH EACH OTHER, SAID SHEETS OF FILM MATERIAL INCLUDING A FIRST INITIALLY UNEXPOSED AND UNDEVELOPED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET POSITIONED IN CONTACT WITH SAID SUPPORT, AN INFORMATION BEARING TRANSPARENCY AND A SECOND INITIALLY UNEXPOSED AND UNDEVELOPED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SHEETS BEING PHOTOSENSITIVE TO AND AT LEAST SAID SECOND SHEET BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY ABSORPTIVE OF DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES OF EXPOSURE ENERGY; MEANS FOR APPLYING A MONOBATH PROCESSING LIQUID TO SAID SECOND SHEET PRIOR TO POSITIONING OF SAID SECOND SHEET IN SAID ASSEMBLY; FIRST EXPOSURE MEANS FOR EXPOSING SELECTED AREAS OF SAID ASSEMBLY TO EXPOSURE ENERGY AT A FREQUENCY TO WHICH SAID SECOND SHEET IS PHOTOSENSITIVE, SAID EXPOSURE ENERGY BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY ABSORBED BY SAID SECOND SHEET AND, UPON ACTION OF SAID PROCESSING LIQUID, TO PRODUCE A SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSPARENT MASK HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY OPAQUE IMAGE CARRIED THEREBY; SECOND EXPOSURE MEANS FOR EXPOSING SAID ASSEMBLY TO EXPOSURE ENERGY HAVING A FREQUENCY TO WHICH SAID FIRST SHEET IS PHOTOSENSITIVE, ENERGY FROM SAID SECOND EXPOSURE MEANS BEING DIRECTED THROUGH SAID MASK AND SAID INFORMATION BEARING TRANSPARENCY AND UPON SAID FIRST SHEET; AND MEANS FOR THEREAFTER PROCESSING SAID FIRST SHEET TO PRODUCE SAID FINAL COMPOSITE PHOTO PRODUCT. 